Editorial: Mike Laster for council District J

HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Updated 7:41 pm, Tuesday, October 11, 2011

The newly created Houston City Council District J on the southwest side has been called Houston's Ellis Island. Indeed. The district carved mostly from neighboring District F is a cultural and ethnic crossroads that calls to mind Rice University professor Stephen Klineberg's observation that Houston is what the rest of America will look like in 40 years.

For a colorful preview of that future national face, one need only have a look at District J, a polyglot mix of Asian, Hispanic, African-American and Anglo residents that somehow adds up to a cohesive community with a dynamic present and a promising future.

District J's inaugural City Council race has drawn three capable candidates from whom voters can choose. Among the three, we favor 18-year resident, attorney and community activist Mike Laster for the new seat at City Hall.

Laster's knowledge of the ways of City Hall and proven ability to get things done figures to be a particular asset for this newly minted district, which will be starting fresh in the important area of competition for capital improvement dollars.

Laster views District J as a distinctive "community of opportunity" and predicts that much of the future economic opportunity for Houston "will come through this corridor."

We agree. That opportunity, when it comes, will be best assisted by his able representation in city government. We recommend a vote for Mike Laster to voters in the new District J.